Update on Studio
Changes
As most of you already know, there have been some
significant changes in my studio life of late. In the past, I taught weekly
classes here in the studio from Tuesday-Thursday and my workshops at Portland Community College
(PCC). I was hoping to always do the same. But as my mom always said, “Nothing lasts
forever.” As of this coming fall, I will no longer be working for PCC. All of
my workshops and classes will be held at my studio, located off Beef Bend Road
in Tigard.
I have had a wonderful 10 years with the college and I hope that when some policies are changed, I will again be behind one of their podiums. But obviously the time is not right for that to happen now. Therefore I am going to spend this month’s newsletter on my studio and what you can expect from me, my classes and my workshops.
I have had a wonderful 10 years with the college and I hope that when some policies are changed, I will again be behind one of their podiums. But obviously the time is not right for that to happen now. Therefore I am going to spend this month’s newsletter on my studio and what you can expect from me, my classes and my workshops.
Anyone can draw (and
paint)
There was a time in my life when I didn’t think I could draw. It’s silly really because for over 20 years I created layouts and designs for advertisements, websites, brochures, flyers, and so on. But when it came down to doing that “precision” work of a finished rendering, I always handed the job off to an illustrator. Of course, I was also able to go onto the next job that much faster--at least, that‘s what I told myself.
There was a time in my life when I didn’t think I could draw. It’s silly really because for over 20 years I created layouts and designs for advertisements, websites, brochures, flyers, and so on. But when it came down to doing that “precision” work of a finished rendering, I always handed the job off to an illustrator. Of course, I was also able to go onto the next job that much faster--at least, that‘s what I told myself.
<<I didn't think I could draw.>>
I found this charming book, less than 200 pages, called, The Right Way to Draw by Mark
Linley. It
was hidden away on a bookshelf in a small shop on High Street in Marlborough,
England. Whenever I take a group back to the area, I always take them to this
shop because that’s where it all began. My biggest lesson from that book was
practice does indeed make perfect. Anyone can draw with the right tools and
commitment. Although I had sketched and played with drawing all my adult life,
I never really studied the craft. With this book in hand, I began my journey.
Since then, I draw everyday. Yes, I am a bit obsessed, but it is my passion.
My Philosophy
I take nothing for granted. During the past 11 years, I have taught over 2,000 people—some of them incredibly brilliant and then some who needed a helping hand. Everyone who comes through my door is a unique individual who deserves my attention and respect. While every person has a variety of experiences and challenges, my goal is to meet personal creative needs and aspirations as best I can, and help students reach their goals (even if none seems to exist yet).
I take nothing for granted. During the past 11 years, I have taught over 2,000 people—some of them incredibly brilliant and then some who needed a helping hand. Everyone who comes through my door is a unique individual who deserves my attention and respect. While every person has a variety of experiences and challenges, my goal is to meet personal creative needs and aspirations as best I can, and help students reach their goals (even if none seems to exist yet).
<<I've had my share of difficult art teachers.>>
Truth be told, I have had my share of difficult art
teachers. Back when I went to school, I had this silly notion that I might
major in art. This was actually my boss’s idea. I worked in advertising
department of a supermarket. I signed up
for a slew of art classes, all of which he suggested. Unbeknownst to me or him,
the current philosophy in art instruction was free-form. Let the student do
whatever he or she wants and then come in and tell the student what’s been done
wrong. Sounds pretty weird, doesn’t it. Maybe some of you have had this type of
teacher yourself. How frustrating it is, NOT to be told how to do something and
then get criticized for not doing it.
I can assure you that
is not my method. I totally disagree with allowing students to flounder. In fact, I
tell students that I teach everything I was never taught. Once you learn the
skill for something (piano, singing, tennis), you are then given the
opportunity to climb mountains of creativity if your heart desires.
Critiquing
I do not feel comfortable giving group critiques. I critique on an individual basis. Everyone is at a different stage in their lives and in their creative process. We can all learn from each other. That is why I encourage everyone to go around the room to “learn” from each other. I do not like it when people compare themselves to others in such a way that they feel inferior to the other person. So in my class, we can share, we can observe and we can compare our works between ourselves, but only if we promise to learn, not judge (ourselves).
I do not feel comfortable giving group critiques. I critique on an individual basis. Everyone is at a different stage in their lives and in their creative process. We can all learn from each other. That is why I encourage everyone to go around the room to “learn” from each other. I do not like it when people compare themselves to others in such a way that they feel inferior to the other person. So in my class, we can share, we can observe and we can compare our works between ourselves, but only if we promise to learn, not judge (ourselves).
<<I critique on an individual basis.>>
I have seen some of the most “interesting” drawings come
across my sight in class, but there is always something I see that shows me the
person is getting the concept. We all learn in different ways and if someone
doesn’t get the idea the first time, I’ll try another avenue. You should never
feel that you must get something right away. The visual arts are hard for
beginners sometimes, especially those who may not have practice “seeing.”
The difference
between seeing and looking
Every day we look at the world around us. We’re usually too busy to notice much of the colors, let alone those that are reflected onto other objects. In passing, we’ll notice that there are buildings and/or objects in front of us but do we see the light and shadow. Do we consider why one object looks lighter than the other or more colorful? Of course not. We’re just too busy. But when you’re drawing and/or painting, you HAVE to slow down and really SEE what’s before you.
Every day we look at the world around us. We’re usually too busy to notice much of the colors, let alone those that are reflected onto other objects. In passing, we’ll notice that there are buildings and/or objects in front of us but do we see the light and shadow. Do we consider why one object looks lighter than the other or more colorful? Of course not. We’re just too busy. But when you’re drawing and/or painting, you HAVE to slow down and really SEE what’s before you.
<<When drawing an object, I ask lots of questions.>>
Along with developing good eye and hand coordination,
drawing requires patience. When I am
preparing to draw an object, I ask lots of questions. Here are only a few:
- Where is the light coming from?
- What is the dominate color?
- Squinting my eyes, I ask where are the different values?
- How is one object set against another?
- Should I start with my darkest dark first or last?
- What details do I want to hold off from until the end?
- How do I want to rearrange the subject at hand?
This required concentration on a subject, slows us down.
Best of all, my worries seem to vanish in a flash. I can’t draw and worry about
the world, my family or even myself. It’s like all my worries disappear and
only the present moment is in front of me. The easy way to live in the NOW.
Private, small
classes or workshops
Unlike most of my college classes/workshops that held 15 to
18 students each, I am now able to cover the same material with a minimum of four and a
maximum of nine. That's a far better student/teacher ratio and best of all, most of the events
are less expensive.
Here is the link of my class schedule for the balance of 2017. Additionally, since my Wednesday morning drawing class is always full, I am going to open up a Tuesday evening class offering the same subject matter.
Here is the link to the workshops being offered 2017.
I appreciate your continued support
It’s been eleven years since I started teaching, beginning the studio classes a few years later. Today I continue to offer drawing and painting classes, local workshops and sketching tours domestically and internationally.
And it's all because of you! I cannot even begin to express my appreciation for the support you have given me over the years. I hope that I can continue to offer the best in art instruction and open doors to a new creative life.
Sketching Flowers
May 20
10-day Australia/New Zealand Cruise
New England/
Quebec Cruise
September 14-21
It’s been eleven years since I started teaching, beginning the studio classes a few years later. Today I continue to offer drawing and painting classes, local workshops and sketching tours domestically and internationally.
And it's all because of you! I cannot even begin to express my appreciation for the support you have given me over the years. I hope that I can continue to offer the best in art instruction and open doors to a new creative life.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What's Coming Up?
Glastonbury Studios Weekly Classes begin May
21st
- Pencil to Brush Every Tuesday morning |10 am to 12:30 pm | $75 five-week term
- New! The Evening Draw Drawing with watercolor pencils |Every Tuesday evening | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $75 per five-week term
- The Morning Draw |Drawing with watercolor pencils | Every Wednesday morning |10 am to 12:30 pm | $75 per five-week term Full
- Pencil to Brush | Every Thursday evening | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $75 per five-week term
Register by email: jjgoodell@gmail.com
Glastonbury Studios One-Day Workshops
All studio workshops are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Includes all supplies and lunch. The cost is $85. Class size is limited to nine students. Pre-registration is required. Only payment reserves your seat.
For full description of workshops see:
Workshop Catalog
All studio workshops are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Includes all supplies and lunch. The cost is $85. Class size is limited to nine students. Pre-registration is required. Only payment reserves your seat.
For full description of workshops see:
Workshop Catalog
Sketching Flowers
May 20
Nature Sketching
June 3
June 3
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Upcoming
Sketching Holiday Workshops
Back by popular demand!
Britain Sketching Tour
Marlborough, UK
September 3-10, 2017
See details at: http://sketchingenglishvillage.blogspot.com/
Final registration is June 15, 2017
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
More to come in 2018
If you are interested in any of the tours listed below, please contact me by email: jjgoodell@gmail.com. I should have more details and costs for the "Down Under" and New England cruise trips by June.
10-day Australia/New Zealand Cruise
January 21-31
************************************************
New England/
Quebec Cruise
September 14-21
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No comments:
Post a Comment